Australian cricketers will present a list of security demands to the Indian Premier League (IPL) after terrorist threats against the competition, the players’ union said Tuesday.
Most Australian players involved in the IPL met with Australian Cricketers Association chief Paul Marsh in Sydney on Tuesday to be briefed on the latest security developments in India.
The New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA) also spoke out on Tuesday about their shared concerns.
Marsh said players were concerned by an independent report which revealed flaws in the existing security plans for the Twenty20 league and would demand arrangements be upgraded.
A Pakistan-based guerrilla group warned last week it might carry out attacks on sports events in India, principally the IPL, the men’s field hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in October.
“From the outset it is important to reinforce that players want to play in this year’s IPL, however the independent report has identified some serious concerns with aspects of the current security process,” Marsh told reporters.
“Specifically, these concerns relate to the reported direct threat against the event and the status and implementation of the IPL’s security plan.”
The independent report was compiled by security consultant Reg Dickason, but Marsh would not discuss its findings in detail.
NZCPA chief Heath Mills said player groups from South Africa and England shared the concerns of the Australians and New Zealanders about IPL security.
“It’s one thing to have a security management plan, it’s a much different thing to see it delivered and delivered well,” Mills said.
“It’s quite complex when you consider the IPL is played across 12 cities, 12 police jurisdictions throughout India. There are some real concerns around that aspect.”
The IPL is due to begin mid-March. — Sapa-AP